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Build a Mini Motorcycle Plans

These are plans for a vintage style mini motorcycle.

This little motorcycle has been designed
to operate on wartime rations! Its
construction is simple and light, but it is
surprisingly practical and will carry a
250-lb. passenger without complaining. A
5/8-h.p. engine whips it along at a 25-m.p.h.
clip and as for gas consumption—one gallon
for every 120 miles, and we doubt if there's
another motorcycle that can do better than
that.

The Mite Cycle shown here was built by
the author at a total cost of $50. It weighs
85 lbs. and is powered by a Briggs and
Stratton engine. All unnecessary frills
were forgotten in its construction, and the
only tools used were a small lathe, a hack
saw and a welding torch.
The frame, being the foundation of the
project, should be built first.

It is made
of salvaged aircraft streamline tubing.
2-1/2"x.035 wall, procurable from any airport
where small planes are repaired.
These dimensions need not be adhered to
exactly as a slightly larger or smaller
tubing, or even a plain round tubing of
1-1/8"x.035 wall, is satisfactory. After procuring
the tubing make a full-size drawing
of the frame on the shop floor and cut the
pieces to the angles and lengths given,
fitting them to the drawing as you go.
After this is completed, build the two
lower frame pieces.

The base tube (11-1/2")
is spotted to the forward tube going up
to the fork neck and also to the rear tube
going to the rear wheel hangers. Three
spreaders are required and these are cut
4" long from 1" o.d. .035 wall tubing; two
of these are located bet-ween the lower
frame sides and spotted into position as
noted. The forward tubes are cut on the
insides and bent together to form the V
as shown in the bottom view, then welded.
The upper rear tubes then are laid together
and the third spreader is located 9-3/4" c.c.
to the rear of the taper terminating pont
and welded into position.